Train-order signal



Sept. 28 1926. 1,601,251

N. M. KELFEY TRAIN ORDER S IGNAL Filed March 16, 1926 Patented Sept. 28, 1926.

NORMAN M. KELLEY, OF I'IYNDItIAN, PEFNSYLVANIA.

TRAIN -0RDER SIGNAL,

Application'filed March 16, 1926.

The present invention relates to train order signals for railways, and the primary object is to provide a simple structure, by which signals can be given to locomotive engineers, so that they may be seen with accuracy at a great distance, thus eliminating the danger of passing stop signals due to their inability to be seen or to theirunexpected' changebecause of weather or other conditions.

For example, it is the common custom for a signal board to be placed where it can be seen by the engineer, and when it is desired to stop a train, to hang a red flag over such board. Aside from the difiiculty of seeing it under adverse weather conditions, it sometimes happens that the flag is blown out of place, and is therefore not observed. Difliculties of this character are entirely overcome by the present structure.

In the accompanying drawings Figure 1 is a perspective view somewhat diagrammatic in its character, showing the corner of a signal tower with the improved signal in place thereon,

Figure 2 is an end view of the signal,

Figure 3 is a side elevation with the cover plate in place,

Figure 4 is a sectional view on the line l4 of Figure 3,

Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 3, but showing the stop signal exposed.

In the embodiment illustrated, a casing or box is employed, comprising a top wall 6, a bottom wall 7, and end walls 8 and 9, the end wall 9 being considerably narrower than the end wall 8. Side walls 10 and 11 complete the casing. One of these sidewalls 11 is hinged, as shown at 12 to the outer end wall 8, so that said side wall 11 can be swung outwardly. It is normally fastened in closed position by a hook and eye 13, or other suitable device.

The walls 10 and 11 are provided with central openings or windows 14:, in which are placed bulls eye lenses 15. These lenses and the outer faces of the walls are of the same color, preferably red, as indicated at 16.

The casing is provided on the outer sides of the side walls 10 and 11.with longitudinal guideways 17, and in these guideways are detachably mounted cover plates 18 that are stopped in their outward movements by the end wall 8 against which they abut, and are removable from the opposite ends of the cas- Serial No. 95,116.

ing. These cover plates are provided with suitable handles 19, and have their external faces of a color difierent from the color of the side walls and lenses, preferably white.

A lamp, shown at 20, is mounted in the casing between the lenses 15. The light from this lamp will thus shine through both lenses and openings.

In using the device, the casing is mounted at an accessible place externally of the signal tower. Thus in Figure 1, it is shown as being located outside a window, the end having the narrower wall 9 being supported by a cross bar 21, or by any suitable means, so that the handles 19 of the coversplates are readily accessible. It will be understood of course that the signal is in the range of vision of the locomotive engineers of trains running in opposite directions. When the cover plates 18 are both in position, clear signals are thus given in both directions, but when it is desired to stop a train to give orders to the engineer, the

signal operator has only to remove the cover plate on the side of the approaching train, whereupon a visual stop signal is displayed that is constantly illuminated, and in addition consists of a red field, comprising the exposed face of the side wall of the casing. This signal can be seen at a great distance, even under unfavorable weather conditions, and it is thus not only much more effective, but is not apt to be automatically changed, as where a flag is hung out over a signal board. Obviously the structure can be modified to suit the individual requirements of the place it is installed, as to its form and mounting.

From the foregoing, it is thought that the construction, operation and many advantages of the herein described invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art, without further description, and it will be understood that various changes in the size, shape, proportion and minor details of construction, may be resorted to without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention.

hat I claim, is:

1. A train order signal comprising a casing having a wall provided with a signal lens of a predetermined color, a lamp behind the lens, said wall having a guideway, and a cover plate slidable in the guideway and movable to and from a position to cover the outer side of the lens, said plate having an outer face colored difi'erently from the lens.

2. A train order signal comprising a casing having a wall provided with a signal lens, said wall and lens being correspondingly colored to give a predetermined signal, a lamp behind the lens, said wall having a guideway, and a cover plate slidable in the guideway and movable to and from a position over the lens, the exposed face of said cover plate being colored differently from the wall and giving a different signal therefrom.

3. A. train order signal comprising a casing having spaced side walls provided with opposite lenses, tie lenses and walls being colored to produce a predetermined signal, a lamp in the casing between the lenses, said casing having guidew 3's externally of the side walls, and cover plates slidable in the gnideways to and from positions over the walls and lenses and colored ditlerently from the lenses and walls.

d. entrain order signal, comprising a casing having means for supporting it at one end and having spaced side walls provided with opposite lenses, the lenses and walls being colored to produce a predetermined signal, a lamp in the casing between the lenses, said casing having guideways extern-all of the side walls, and cover plates slidable in the guideways to and from positions over the walls and lenses and colored dillerently from the lenses and walls and removable from the end of the casing at which it is supported.

5. A train order signal comprising :1 casing having means for supporting it at one end and having spaced side walls provided with opposite lenses, the lenses and walls being colored to produce a predetermined signal, a lamp in the casing between the said casing having gnideways externall of l rc side walls, and cover plates slidable in the gnideways to and from positions over the walls and lenses and colored differently from the lenses and walls and removable from the end of the casing at which it is supported, one of the walls and the lens carried thereby being hinged and movable to permit access to the interior of the casing.

In testimony whereof, I atiix my signature.

NORMAN M. KELLEY. 

